Oppo terminates company worker for tearing Indian Flag, Noida Police says investigating on

Chinese handset maker Oppo said that it has terminated a company worker after it found that he “discarded the Indian Flag from the table during regular external material check” at the Noida Sector 63 facility.

“Based on the recent incident and after thorough investigation with the concerned authorities, we have found that a worker discarded the Indian Flag from the table during regular external material check. We have zero tolerance for such matters and have taken strict action in terminating the individual and continue working very closely with the authorities on the matter,” the company said in a statement.

“Since our establishment in India, OPPO has been committed to the development of the industry and local communities,” the handset maker said, adding that it regrets this unfortunate incident and reaffirms that this is an individual’s behavior that in no way represents our company’s position.

“Oppo has deep respect for India and its culture, and it continues to obey the applicable laws and regulations in India and will not tolerate any misconduct,” it added.

The Uttar Pradesh police has begun investigating the incident. “A case has been registered and the investment is going on. A Chinese person is named in the case…We are collecting evidence and getting the CCTV footage of the place,” Dinesh Yadav, superintendent of police, Noida, told ET.

The incident allegedly took place on March 27 night at Oppo India’s Noida factory premises, which led to an interruption in manufacturing activity. The company however says that there has been no impact on the manufacturing. The facility, which was set up recently, manufactures smartphones for local consumption.

The incident triggered protests in front of the company’s Noida office, while some people took to social media to criticise the company for its alleged anti-national actions. Some demanded strict action by the government against the Chinese company, while a few reached out to newly appointed UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Twitter, to look into this matter.

Hoisting and use (including misuse and insult) of the National Flag is regulated by the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950, the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and the Flag Code of India.

ET sources at the ministry of external affairs on Tuesday said they were finding out the facts of the case while Oppo said is it probing the incident while cooperating with authorities.

The Chinese smartphone maker, which has rapidly risen up the ranks to be counted among the top five smartphone makers in India, said its priority is the wellbeing of our employees and the community it services.

Oppo, which entered the Indian market in early 2014, has become the fourth-biggest player, with 8.6 per cent market share, according to latest data from analyst IDC. Having acquired sponsorship rights in the national cricket team for five years, in a Rs 1,079-crore deal, Oppo has plans to begin manufacturing at a more granular level besides entering into the online sales segment.

The company which edged out Apple and Samsung in China to become the No 1 smartphone brand, has similar ambitions in the India market which is led by the Korean player. It is now planning a 1000-acre industrial park with an investment of over Rs 1,400 crore. Part of a long-term plan, operations in this park are expected to begin in the next two to three years.